The verdict in three sentences
San-Pédro, the world's leading cocoa export port, constantly hires customs declarants, freight forwarding agents and logistics assistants, and these jobs are often decided by a practical Word and Excel test. A candidate who can build a container tracking sheet, format a report and present figures in 5 slides beats one who only has a degree. Kolonell Academy's level 4 Career course, full Office suite at 100,000 FCFA for 22 h (about 152 EUR), prepares precisely for this teamwork on Microsoft 365.
Target jobs and their office skill requirements
Between the port authority, freight forwarders, stevedoring firms and cocoa and rubber exporters, office jobs are plentiful. Here is a 2026 order of magnitude:
| Job in San-Pédro | Indicative monthly salary 2026 | Daily office use |
|---|---|---|
| Logistics assistant | 180,000 to 300,000 FCFA | Shipment tracking in Excel, emails, reports |
| Freight forwarding agent | 200,000 to 320,000 FCFA | File tables, Word documents, PDFs |
| Junior customs declarant | 220,000 to 350,000 FCFA | Calculation sheets, digital archiving |
| Cocoa purchasing assistant | 180,000 to 280,000 FCFA | Weighing tables, reconciliations |
| Stevedoring admin assistant | 160,000 to 250,000 FCFA | Schedules, letters, presentations |
| Logistics intern | 75,000 to 120,000 FCFA | Data entry, formatting, tables |
These figures vary by company and experience. They are not guaranteed, but they show what a passed Excel test is worth: several months less job hunting.
What the typical hiring Excel test contains
Recruiters at logistics firms often set a 20 to 45 minute exercise. Expectations repeat from one employer to the next:
| Common task | Expected level | Covered in the course |
|---|---|---|
| Container tracking table with filters | Essential | Yes |
| SUMIF, XLOOKUP or VLOOKUP formulas | Essential | Yes |
| Pivot table by client or vessel | Often asked | Yes |
| Monthly tonnage chart | Often asked | Yes |
| Word report with table of contents | Sometimes | Yes |
| 5-slide PowerPoint presentation | Sometimes, for assistant roles | Yes |
Comparing training options in 2026
| Option | 2026 cost | Length | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kolonell, level 4 Career | 100,000 FCFA one-off | 22 h, self-paced | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and SharePoint, verifiable certificate |
| Training centre in San-Pédro | 150,000 to 250,000 FCFA | 1 to 3 months | In person, often generic syllabus |
| Free tutorials | 0 FCFA (plus data) | Variable | No logistics cases, no correction |
| Free online certificates | 0 to 20,000 FCFA | 10 to 30 h | In English, rarely aimed at hiring tests |
| Full Kolonell track (5 levels) | 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 | Several months | From basics to executive assistant |
The course Full Office suite: Word, Excel and PowerPoint at work, taught in French, goes beyond the basics: shared OneDrive and SharePoint workspace, co-editing without overwriting colleagues' work, automated recurring documents and presentations to management. It is level 4 of the Office and productivity track. If you do not yet master simple formulas, start with level 3 Excel at 75,000 FCFA.
Mini case study
Learn this skill with Kolonell Academy
Short, practical online courses (taught in French), graded exercises, certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money.
Fictional case: Yao, 25, with a logistics bachelor's degree, has been looking for an assistant job at a San-Pédro freight forwarder for six months. He failed the Excel test twice. He invests 100,000 FCFA and 22 h spread over four weeks. If he lands a job at 220,000 FCFA, the course represents about 45% of one month's salary, paid back in under three weeks of work. Compared with a local centre at 200,000 FCFA, he also saves 100,000 FCFA. This is a 2026 order of magnitude: hiring also depends on the interview and the port's needs at the time.
FAQ
Do I need Microsoft 365 for the course?
It is strongly recommended, since SharePoint, Teams and Power Query live in the desktop apps. Students can often get it free through their institution, and Google Workspace is presented as an alternative.
How much does it cost and how do I pay?
Level 4 Career costs 100,000 FCFA, paid once via Wave or Orange Money. The full 5-level track costs 350,000 FCFA instead of 450,000 FCFA.
I am new to Excel, is this too advanced?
This level assumes Word and Excel basics. Otherwise, level 2 Word (50,000 FCFA) and level 3 Excel (75,000 FCFA) prepare the ground.
Does the certificate help with the hiring test?
It does not replace the test, but it is verifiable online in 1 click and shows the recruiter 22 h of practice on office cases. The real gain is your ease during the 30-minute exercise.
How long does it take to finish?
At 1 h a day, allow about three weeks for the 22 h. You can speed up at weekends.
Take the next step. Enroll in Full Office suite: Word, Excel and PowerPoint at work: level 4 Career, 22 h self-paced, 100,000 FCFA, verifiable certificate. Pay with Wave or Orange Money. Questions? WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
